Gift Guide: Shit They Will Actually Use

So, we’ve got too much stuff.

I know we’re not alone in this problem since this post on what not to buy my kids for their birthdays was so popular, but I don’t think I realized just how bad it was until I had my kids write out their Christmas lists. By the end, Stella was just looking around the room and naming things.

Hence numbers 8, 9 and 10: Statue of Snowman, Door and Phone. Also, three of MJ’s items were sports balls. Mind you that on the 100th day of school last year he was able to round up 100 different types of sports balls to bring in for his collection of 100 items. Cash could only come up with three items, two of which were hand fed because he was getting those regardless of whether they were on the list or not. For the record, no one in our house is getting a phone and hell will freeze over before another Shopkin comes in our home.

Which got me thinking- what do we want this holiday season?

{This post contains affiliate links.}

1. Kids Edition- Amazon Fire

Technically for the kids but mostly a gift to ourselves. We have a big trip coming up in March and the idea of multiple hours logged traveling without everyone having their own device was already causing me to drink. Initially, I was turned off by the $100 price tag. Call me cheap (because I am) but we’ve never spent more than $25 each on the kids for Christmas. Because they have too much stuff, because we only have so much room in our house, because they will be spoiled mercilessly by aunties and grandparents and because they will likely have destroyed and/or completely forgotten about their “must have” presents by January 15.

I was ready to (painfully) purchase them anyway and was PUMPED to find them on sale for $74.99. Then at checkout I received a $40 gift card for signing up for the Amazon Prime Card, bringing the cost down to $62 each!

The sale is over for now, but follow me on Facebook and I’ll keep you updated if it comes around again!

2. New Home Decor

We have three kids and a dog, our home decor is more than tired, its exhausted… and filthy. I ordered these adorable throw pillow covers to freshen things up. So cheap, so cute. Merry Christmas to me.

3. Essential Oils and Diffusers

Kids are sooo gross this time of year. We’re all stuck inside sharing germs and they are constantly snotty and sneezy. We have one of these diffusers from Innoo Tech in each bedroom and I’ll be adding one for the kitchen. I have been SO impressed with Plant Therapy’s Kid Safe line of essential oils- we use Sneezy Stop, Sniffle Stopper and Germ Destroyer daily and I’m dying to try out the entire kit… “Nighty Night” and “Calming the Child” being high up on that list today.

4. Dog Bed

Griffey is the most loving and patient dog we could ever hope to have and this Christmas we’ll be celebrating another (almost) full year that she didn’t eat the kids. We had to throw away her old dog bed well over two years ago because it exploded in the dryer or some crap like that, so she’s long overdue for something real nice. Like this Serta Orthapedic Quilted mat. Yes, it is nicer than our own bed, but not eating children comes with big rewards.

5. Coffee Maker

The most used appliance in our home, which is probably why the current one looks so grossly used. Must haves for a coffee maker in our home are a 10 cup capacity minimum (we won’t be making that 8 cup limit mistake again), adjustable brew strength (of which we will only use robust), reusable filters (who can remember to buy that shit?) and auto shut off (the only thing that keeps me from burning the house down). This model from Cuisinart checks all of the boxes at a reasonable price.

6. Kids’ Games

Two of our three kids are finally at an age where they can play board games while mostly following the rules and not throwing playing pieces across the room (again, mostly). Pie Face, Connect Four, Apples to Apples and a new set of cards for our favorite Uno Attack will definitely be making a appearance from Elf on the Shelf this year.

7. Movies and E-Books

Did I mention the Kindles? Kid-friendly movies and e-books to download to those little beauties will be a life saver on long trips without WiFi… and given that we live in the middle of nowhere, every trip is long. With three kids, their interests vary, and they most certainly will not agree on anything. Enter Amazon gift cards.

8. Super Hero Capes

Costumes. They’re not just for Halloween anymore. This will be the second year that super hero and princess gear is in our kids’ wish list and they are some of the most used items in our toy room. I love that they encourage creative play and few things embarrass our seven year old more than being walked to school by his little brother wearing a Power Ranger costume. Ahh, siblings. I ordered ours from a fundraiser for an amazing family to help cover their adoption fees, but since that ended, I’m looking at these for some of the other kiddos in our family.

9. Socks

My parents get us socks every year for Christmas. I’m not the least bit embarrassed to say that they are my favorite gift. Call me cheap (again, because I am), but nothing irritates me more than having to spend money on socks. That being said, few things make me happier than warm, cozy, fitted foot hugs on a cold winter morning, and few things make our mornings easier than actually being able to find matching socks for the kids. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

That wraps up this short, but awesome list of shit your family will actually use. Tell me, what does your family need under the tree this year?

About Author

beerandjunk

Related Posts

Welcome to Beer and Junk!

Hello!
I'm Kelly, mom, wife, business owner, writer, aspiring day drinker, avoider of housework.
Beer and Junk is all about inspiring you to find joy in the chaos and believe me, we have plenty of it.
So sit back, grab a cold one and join in our beautiful mess!